Acetylene-gas generator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. G. SEWARD. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

No. 603,747. N E Patented Me,

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Patented May 10,1898.

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IS PETERS 0a., PNOTD-LlINOv WA UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

OLIVER e. SEWARD, on MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

AC ETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,747, dated May 10,1898. Application filed December 22, 1896. Serial No. 616,627. (Nomodel.)

T on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER G. SEWARD, of the city of Minneapolis, countyof Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Acetylene- Gas Generators, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to means for generating, purifying, and storingacetylene gas; and

the object of the invention is to provide com-z bined means to generateand purify gas generated from calcium carbid, making said means of asimple and cheap construction, of large capacity, and automatic inaction.

The invention consists generally in the combination with threetanks,each provided with a movable gas-holder, generating apparatus, andautomatic water-feed devices provided with one of them, purifying meansprovided in another, and the third serving as a storage and pressuretank, means being provided between said parts to automatically regulatethe flow of gasfrom one to the other.

The invention further consists in the construction and arrangement ofeach of said parts taken by itself ;-further, in means whereby thegas-producing material may be deposited in the generator without openingthe same or letting off the gas therein; and, further, the inventionconsists in particular constructions and in combinations of parts, allas in the generator removed to more clearly show the'water-supply coil.Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the watervalve, which is normallyclosed by the float. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line y y ofFig. 1, but enlarged. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line a zof Fig. 4. Fig. 6 isa detail section on the line a u of Fig. 2, showingthe clean-out passage or duct. Fig. 7 is a face view of the self-lockingcap employed on the end of the clean-out duct or passage.

As shown in the drawings, 2, 3, and 4 represent three independentwater-tanks, each having an open top closed by the verticallymovablegas-holdero 6 7, respectively. Within the tank 2 I provide a cylinder 8,the upper end of which. is open and rises above the level-of the waterin the three tanks. The bottom of this cylinder 8, which is thecarbidholder, is practically closed, though a waterfiushing pipe 9 leadsinto the same and a duct 10 leads out of the bottom thereof, so that theresidue of the carbid may be drawn off occasionally. The structure ofthe clean-out duct 10 is -shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 6. It is asimple pipe having a hole 11 communicating with the cylinder 8, whichhole is normally closed by the sliding sleeve 12 in' the innerend of theduct 10, which sleeve may be drawn out by means of the rod or handle 13.In ad dition the end of the duct is tightly closed by the end of the cap14:. (Shown also in Fig. 7.)

The gas-holder 5 of the tank 2 carries a charging valve or dome upon itstop. This is central over the chamber 8, so that the contents of thevalve or duct will drop into the same. This valve or dome comprises thehousing or dome proper, 16, the upper part of which is semicylindricalin form and comprises a hinged top or cover 17, hingedat one end andhaving a lug or lugs 18 at the other end or ends to be engaged by thebinder-screw 19, which screw for convenience preferably has its lowerend 20 pivoted.- The ends 22 of the dome conform to the cross-sectionthereof, anda suitable packing strip or sheet 21, which covers theentire inner surface of the cover 17, laps over upon the upper edges ofthe ends 22 thereof, making a gas-tight joint. therewith. Within thedome is an open-sided semicylinder 23, the opening 24 in which issmaller than the hinged top or cover 17, so that the latter closesaround all edges thereof. Within this in turn is the valve-cylinder 25,the ends of which are complete, while one side is provided with anopening 26 of the size of that in the cylinder 23. 27 is interposedbetween the two parts, so that the cylinder may be rotated to carry itsopen side opposite the opening in the top of the dome, in which positionthe cylinder is filled with the gas-producing material, or the cylindermay be turned-to present a solid sur- A tlexiblesheet packing face atthe top and an opening at the bottom, whereupon the gas-producingmaterial will drop into the chamber or carbid-holder 8. To

prevent the leaking of gas around the studs or end shafts of thevalve-cylinder, each bearing is provided with a stuffing-box 30. Thecylinder is turned from the outside bya crank 31 or like part. The wateris supplied to the calcium carbid in the bottom of the chamber 8 throughopenings in the coil 33, provided therein. The carbid is kept off thetop of this coil by a conical guard 34. The coil is supplied with waterby a pipe 35, leading down to the bottom of the tank 2, so as not tointerfere with the movable gas-holder, and thence out and upward in theauxiliary wa ter tank or pocket 36, provided on the outside of the tank2. In a very large tank where considerable space is left between thewalls of the tank and the holder this pocket might be dispensed with andthe valve in the water-supply pipe located between the tank and thegas-holder; but I prefer the construction shown. At the top of the pipe35 I provide a valve 37. (Shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 2.) Thisvalve may be of any suitable construction so long as it is adapted to beoperated by the lever 38, which in turn is actuated by the float 39 orthe movement of the gas-holder. The float 39 and the rod 40 connectedtherewith are partly counterbalanced by light springs 41 and 42 upon thelever 38 and the rod 40, respectively. Both may be adj ustableone by aseries of notches in the lever 38 and the other by an adjustable collaron the upper end of the rod 42.

The gas-holder 5 is provided with an outwardly-proj ectin g arm or lug43, which, when the gas-holder falls, will strike and depress the rod 40and, overcoming the buoyancy of the float 39, open the valve 37 and leta quantity of water into the spray or supply coil in the carbid-holder.This water falling on the carbid in the latter will generate gas, which,if its exit from the gas-holder is interrupted or checked,willaccumulate therein and'raise the gas-holder, thereby liberating the rod40, whereupon the float 39 will raise the same and close the valve 37and shut off the flow of water to the carbid. From this time the gaswill continue to form until the remaining carbid is consumed or dried,and the holder 5 will be raised still farther until striking its top itwill open a gas-passage into the next tank or holder. Within the tank 3is a zigzag condenser-pipe 45, the lower end of which is connectedby avalve-pipe to the gas-outlet pipe 46, leading downward from above thewater-level in the first tank or gas-generator. The upper end of thepipe 45 is dropped down beneath the surface of the water in the tank 3,so that the gas flowing therefrom will necessarily pass through and bewashed by the water. Bubbling up through the water it will collect inthe upper part of the gas-holder 6, from which it is conveyed bya pipe48 48' to the third or storage tank or holder 7. From this holder thegas is exhausted for consumption, flowing therefrom to the outlet-pipe49. The connecting-pipe 50 between the gas-pipes 46 and 45 is providedwith a valve 51, the stem 52 of which is pivoted on the lever 53. Thislever has a fulcrum or pivot 54, preferably on the valve-casing, and tothe ends of the lever are attached the vertically-movable rods 55 and56, extending up the sides of the tanks 2 and 3, respectively. When therod 55 is raised or the rod 56 depressed, the valve will be opened topermit the passage of gas from the first tank to the second. For thispurpose I provide on each rod two adjustable collars or buttons 57 to beengaged by arms 58 on the gas-holders. A similar pipe 59, connecting thegas-pipes 48 and 48 in the tanks 3 and 4, is provided with a similarvalve 51, and a lever 53, connected with the stem thereof, is arrangedto be operated by either of the rods 60 or 61, which have buttonssimilar to the other rods to be engaged by arms 58 on the gas-holders 6and 7.

62 represents a condensation pocket or cylinder divided into twochambers by a partition 63, and having each of its parts or chambersconnected with the pipe 50 on opposite sides of the valve therein. Thepartition is used to prevent the flow of gas through the pocket,and eachpart of the pocket is provided with a separate drip-valve 64, so thatthere are really two independent pockets. The level of the water in thegenerator-tank 2 may vary at times, owing to the use of the waterthrough the valve 37 and the pocket 36 and the tank being connected. Onthe other hand, the tanks 3 and 4 seldom require filling with water, anda water-pipe connected with one will communicate with the other througha byway 65.

The operation of my device is as follows: Any amount of carbid maybe'deposited in the holder without liberating any particular quantity ofgas through the rotating cylinder valve or dome. The water entersthrough the coil and the gas accumulating in the holder 5 raises thesame, cutting off the watersupply and eventually raising the rod 55,thereby opening the valve and passage for the gas into the gas-holder 6.The gas will escape from the first holder into the second untilexhausted from the first, whereupon the holder 5 will drop and engagethe lower button on the rod 55 and close the valve 51. In turn when thegas-holder 6 rises to its full height it will close the valve 51 andthrough the rod 60 open the valve 51, which controls the passage intothe third or storage tank 7. The fall of the holder 6 will depress therod 56 and open the valve 51 from the first gas holder or generator. Atthe same time it will close the valve 51. The rise of the gasholder 7closes the valve 51', while the fall thereof opens said valve, so thatgas will flow into the holder 7 from the holder 6. The fall of thegas-holder '7 is regulated by the consumption of the gas in the burnersconnected therewith.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, ofan annular water-chamber surrounding a chamber or space forgas-producing material, with an independent movable gas-holder adaptedto rise and fall in said water-chamber, means in the top of said movablegas-holder for dropping gas-producing material into the chamber or spacetherefor without the escape of gas from the gas-holder, an inlet forwater from the water-chamber to said space containing the gas-producingmaterial, and automatic means governed by the production of gas forregulating the entrance of water from the water-chamber to the chamberor space containing the gas-producing material, substantially asdescribed.

2. In an acetylene-gas chamber the combination of 'an open-toppedchamber for calcium carbid with a water-tank surrounding same, a movablegas-holder in said tank and inclosing said chamber, a water-pipecommunicating between said tank and said chamber to admit water from oneto the other, a valve in said pipe, a float-lever whereby said valve isnormally closed, and means whereby upon the fall of said holder saidvalve is opened, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the top of a gasgenerator, of an open-sidedcylinder revoluble therein, a casing or dome therefor and means on theexterior thereof to revolve said cylinder, to expose its open'side tothe interior or exterior of the gas-generator, and a top for said domeconforming to said cylinder, means for binding the same thereon, andsuitable packing interposed between the cylinder and the parts of thedome, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a suitable watertank, with a chamber or space for calcium carbid, therein and surroundedthereby but having an open top, and an independent movable gas-holder, awater-pipe leading from said tank into said chamber or space, anexterior water-pocket, a float-valve provided therein, to control theentrance of water to said chamber or space, a floatrod and a lug uponsaid gas-holder to engage the same upon the fall of the gasholder,whereby said valve is opened, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, of a suitable tank,with a chamber or space for carbid arranged within said tank and havingan open top which projects above the surface of the water in the tank, agasholder arranged in said tank to rise and fall therein and surroundingor covering said chamber or spaceto receive the gas therefrom, regulablemeans for jetting water into the upper part of said chamber or space andupon the material therein, a clean-out hole at the bottom of saidchamber or space, a valve or slide to close the same, and a flushpipeleading into the lower part of said chamber or space, substantially asdescribed.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a water-tank and'agas-holder, with a carbid-holder and means for supplying Water thereto,an independent tank and gasholder, provided with a suitable condenser, agas-pipe communicating between the firstmentioned gas-holder and thesaid condenser, a gas-valve provided in said pipe, and means inconnection with each gas-holder for automatically opening and closingsaid valve sub stantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a suitable tankand gas-holder, provided with means for holding and dampening calciumcarbid, of an independent tank and gas-holder, a gas-pipe forming aconnection between the two gas-holders, a valve in said pipe, avalve-lever, upright rods, connected therewith, suitable guides for saidrods, and means whereby the extreme movements of either of saidgas-holders will actuwith said gas-pipe, on opposite sides of saidvalve, substantially as described.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a water-tank anda gas-holder, of a separatewater-tank, and gas-holder, a gas-pipeforming a communication between said gas-holders, a valve therein, avalve-lever, rods having guides, and also havingstops to be engaged andoperated by said gas-holders, to actuate said valve, substantially asdescribed.

10. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a water-tank anda gas-holder, of means for introducing calcium carbid,without the escapeof gas from said holder, a carbid-holder, awater pipe and valve, tosupply water to the carbid in said holder, means operated by saidgas-holder to open said valve, asecond tank and gas-holder, a gas-pipe,leading between the two gas-holders, a Valve in said pipe, means wherebythe extreme movement of either of. said gas-holders, actuates saidvalve, in the gas-pipe, a third tank' and gas-holder, a gas-pipeconnecting the second and third gas-holders, a valve in said pipes,means whereby the extreme movements of either the second or the thirdgas-holder actuate said valve, and a gas-outlet from the thirdgas-holder, substantially as described.

11. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with the water-tank2, of the interior open-topped chamber 8 arranged therein, thegas-holder 5 to rise and fall in the tank, the water-pipe 35 leadingfrom the tank into said chamber 8, the coil of said pipe within theupper part of said chamber 8, the valve for controlling the flow ofwater through said pipe, means whereby said valve is operated by saidgas-holder, and the projection 34 arranged in the chamber 8 topreventthe lodging of material upon said coil or the stoppage of theopenings therein, and means whereby said chamber 8 may be cleaned fromthe bottom, substantially as described.

12. In combination with the carbid receptacle or holder of anacetylene-gas generator,

the pipe 10 leading from the bottom thereof, and having an opening 11through the bottom of said receptacle, the gas and water tight cap, 14,for the outer end of said pipe, the slidable tube, 12, arranged in saidpipe to close said opening 11, and rod or handle, 13,whereby said tubemay be drawn out of the pipe, when the cap 14 is removed, as and for thepurpose

